Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Amazing ice cream, good location, great service. This is a really nice ice cream shop in the Harvard square area. The shop has a very roomy outlay and designed well to provide space to customers waiting in line and those sitting and enjoying their ice cream inside the shop. They have a very large variety of ice cream flavors, and they provide free tasting. The prices are decent as they provide good value for money, however would highly recommend getting two scoops instead of one since the price difference is only one dollar and the quantity is double. The staff are super nice and friendly, who serve with a smile despite dealing with a large crowd. They have both freshly baked Waffle Cones & Cups. They also have pre packed large containers of ice creams. Definitely the spot to get Ice Cream while in the area.

Very average ice cream, quite a let down. Some people recommended I try out Van Leeuwen on my quest to find the best ice cream in Boston. I knew they were a chain but seeing as I had been pleasantly surprised by JP Licks, I figured it was worth a shot. The staff were nice and let me try a few samples, though it was a bit weird it as seemed to make a conscious effort to make the samples as small as possible, barely filling a quarter of the tiny sample spoon. All flavours were too sweet in my opinion. The texture of the ice cream is nice, but that’s about it. I ended up picking the honeycomb, but it was, like the other flavours I tried, too sweet, and without any piece of honeycomb which was quite disappointing. Overall would skip Van Leeuwen. There are far better options for ice cream in Boston, especially around the Cambridge area.

Van Leeuwen is the perfect spot to cool down on a sunny hot day in Harvard Square! We tried the pistachio, strawberry, and an affogato, and each one was absolutely delightful. The ice cream is rich, creamy, and soft with flavors that taste fresh and natural—not overly sweet. The affogato was especially a treat, perfectly balancing espresso with the smooth vanilla base. One of the best parts is that they make the cones fresh right in front of you, adding that warm, crispy touch that pairs perfectly with the ice cream. The shop itself has a bright and welcoming vibe, making it a great place to stop whether you’re strolling through Harvard Square or looking for a dessert after dinner. Parking can be a challenge in this area, but if you’re walking or taking the T, it’s very convenient. Despite the parking hassle, this spot is absolutely worth a visit. I totally recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality, flavorful ice cream with a little something extra.

A great spot to enjoy ice cream during the summer near Harvard! They offer a wide variety of flavors—and even free samples. The staff were super friendly, and there’s a cozy space where you can relax and chat with friends while enjoying your ice cream.

Ordered the Black cherry chip ice cream and the pistachio. The server was really kind in letting my sister and I try a few flavors including the blueberry jelly donut, strawberry yuzu cheesecake which were phenomenal too. Lovely for a hot summer’s day!

I had a wonderful time here with my family. We came here for dessert after dinner near Harvard Square. The ice cream cream was delicious, and the service was excellent. The staff were courteous, and they let us taste multiple flavors before making our selections. We ordered chocolate, white raspberry, praline butter cake, chocolate fudge brownie, and a couple of waffle cones. The only issue is that the atmosphere is a bit hectic and that the restaurant could use better seating.

The staff was super friendly, they offered us samples of ice cream, and had the biggest smiles while telling me their favorite ice cream flavor. The ice cream itself was super yummy and hit the spot for a nice humid, New England day. I can’t wait to come back again! :D

Fun flavors, free sample, and perfect texture, what’s not to love? I shared a scoop of honeycomb with my wife and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Spacious, though could use more seating. Was no wait on a warm Friday afternoon which was surprising given the quality. I suppose there are lots of ice cream options on Harvard Sq. We will be returning to this one though.